A cytosolic pathway for the conversion of hydroxypyruvate to glycerate during photorespiration in Arabidopsis.
Deletion of any of the core enzymes of the photorespiratory cycle, one of the major pathways of plant primary metabolism, results in severe air-sensitivity of the respective mutants. The peroxisomal enzyme hydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR1) represents the only exception to this rule. This indicates the presence of extraperoxisomal reactions of photorespiratory hydroxypyruvate metabolism. We have identified a second hydroxypyruvate reductase, HPR2, and present genetic and biochemical evidence that the enzyme provides a cytosolic bypass to the photorespiratory core cycle in Arabidopsis thaliana. Deletion of HPR2 results in elevated levels of hydroxypyruvate and other metabolites in leaves. Photosynthetic gas exchange is slightly altered, especially under long-day conditions. Otherwise, the mutant closely resembles wild-type plants. The combined deletion of both HPR1 and HPR2, however, results in distinct air-sensitivity and a dramatic reduction in photosynthetic performance. These results suggest that photorespiratory metabolism is not confined to chloroplasts, peroxisomes, and mitochondria but also extends to the cytosol. The extent to which cytosolic reactions contribute to the operation of the photorespiratory cycle in varying natural environments is not yet known, but it might be dynamically regulated by the availability of NADH in the context of peroxisomal redox homeostasis.
Timm
Stefan
S
University of Rostock, BioScience Institute, Plant Physiology Department, D-18051 Rostock, Germany.
Nunes-Nesi
Adriano
A
Pärnik
Tiit
T
Morgenthal
Katja
K
Wienkoop
Stefanie
S
Keerberg
Olav
O
Weckwerth
Wolfram
W
Kleczkowski
Leszek A
LA
Fernie
Alisdair R
AR
Bauwe
Hermann
H
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D002736:Chloroplasts / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005988:Glyceric Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D050537:Hydroxypyruvate Reductase / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D011773:Pyruvates / Q000378:metabolism*
D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; D005988:Glyceric Acids; D011773:Pyruvates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009249:NADP; C012375:hydroxypyruvic acid; D050537:Hydroxypyruvate Reductase; D010100:Oxygen